Northfork [2002]

The Polish Brothers conclude their America's Heartland trilogy (TWIN FALLS IDAHO, JACKPOT) with this mesmerizing, surreal drama. It is 1950s Montana, and in two days the small town of Northfork is about to be buried underwater. While most of the residents are willing to accept a forced relocation to higher ground, several inhabitants are determined to stay right where they are. A six-man Evacuation Committee—including father-and-son team Walter and Willis O'Brien (James Woods and Mark Polish)—is recruited to convert the stragglers and make sure that no one is left behind. Meanwhile, the somber Father Harlan (Nick Nolte) cares for the increasingly ill Irwin (Duel Farnes), a young child who has begun to have a dialogue with four mysterious angels—Flower Hercules (Darryl Hannah), Cup of Tea (Robin Sachs), Happy (Anthony Edwards), and Cod (Ben Foster). As the deadline nears, the Evacuation Committee struggles with a determined, proud group of residents who don't want to let their town be washed into history. All the while, Irwin continues to have his puzzling visions, adding a literal dose of mortality to the film's already bleak atmosphere. Featuring gorgeously haunting visuals (courtesy of cinematographer M. David Mullen), NORTHFORK confirms the Polish Brothers' status as truly distinct voices in American cinema.